Damn, I really couldn’t sleep a wink all night...

Zeming’s eyes hadn’t closed for a single moment. Heavy dark circles shadowed them, and a deep, lingering resentment clung to his gaze.

Her delicate breath carried a faint, sweet scent. Lying on her side, the wrinkles in her sleepwear revealed patches of milky-white skin—like a flawless work of art right before his eyes.

“Let me confirm something first—are you really asleep?”

Zeming whispered boldly, blinking as he stared at her porcelain skin and serene sleeping face. It radiated such tenderness it could melt anyone’s heart. Gone was her usual icy demeanor; now she seemed like a well-behaved pet.

“Adorable” and “captivating” barely described how she made him feel. Even after sharing this bed for so long, he still ached to touch her—and hated how his own body betrayed him so embarrassingly.

“Mmm... mmm...”

Eira’s body gently inched closer. Her lips pursed slightly as her right hand reached out, crossing the invisible boundary they usually kept with blankets.

Now they faced each other directly. Only a few inches separated their eyes and lips. Without that barrier, his heart pounded wildly.

Eira shifted again. Her palm suddenly brushed against Zeming’s, then tightened around it. The contact sent an electric jolt through him—a sensation he hadn’t felt since their wedding day.

“Eira, you’re truly asleep, right? If you wake up suddenly, please don’t murder me?”

“Mmm...”

“Okay, you’re definitely asleep.”

Zeming exhaled in relief. The awake Eira had only one reaction to his touch: either a brutal beating or being pinned down for a merciless kicking. It’d make even a masochist swoon.

Thankfully, today he was already blissfully content. Before he could sink deeper into that happiness, an even sweeter wave wrapped around him—or rather, wrapped him completely.

Eira slept far more boldly than he’d imagined. Without the pillow barrier, she rolled straight into his arms. Her soft, fragrant body clung to him like he was a teddy bear pillow.

“Eira, stop joking around! At this rate, you’ll beat me up again tomorrow morning!”

Zeming stayed rigidly proper. Even with this stunning beauty straddling him, he absolutely wouldn’t act on the soft pressure against his chest or the honey-sweet scent of her skin.

“So... so amazing!”

His hand had “accidentally” brushed against Eira’s butt. Truly accidental.

Her firm, round curves felt like...

“Wait! Wait, wait, wait!

This isn’t the time to enjoy it.” He squirmed slightly.

No escape. Eira’s elite grappling skills locked him in place—her sleeper hold was unbreakable.

Trapped in her embrace, what would she see first thing tomorrow morning?

She’d ignore his side entirely. She’d just assume he’d assaulted her and punch him into a pancake. Worse, her hold pinned his hand right on her butt.

By dawn, he’d be dead for sure.

“Well... guess there’s no other way.”

................................

“What the hell happened? Why are my clothes changed?”

Waking up, Eira noticed two impossible things. First, Zeming had risen hours earlier than usual. Second, her underwear felt strange, and her skin reeked of shower gel—a scent that shouldn’t linger this long.

“What on earth...?”

“Morning, sweetheart. I made you something tasty. Hope you like it.”

Zeming untied his apron, smiling in a way that looked unnaturally forced.

“You’re acting weird. We had no barriers last night, no restraints. You didn’t do anything strange, did you?”

“Of course not, cutie. I’m always law-abiding.”

Zeming subtly kicked a trash bag hidden outside the door. Inside lay his shredded sleepwear, soaked in lubricant. Last night, he’d had a flash of genius: he’d used the joint lubricant from his bedside drawer. As a half-Cyborg, his left hand had a hidden gear mechanism beneath synthetic skin—a relic from an old fracture. Unused for ages, it saved him now. Coated in grease, he’d slipped free from her grip.

Admittedly, watching Eira slick with oil—her clothes clinging transparently to her glistening skin—was insanely erotic. Just seeing it made him struggle to stay composed.

But thankfully, to preserve his dignity as a virgin and respect for a lady, he’d carried her to the bathroom. Groping blindly, he’d washed off the lubricant and changed her into a fresh sleepwear set. Thank goodness she owned an identical one.

“Breakfast’s ready. Hungry?”

“Fine. I’ll shower first... or maybe not.”

“No need. Your skin’s smooth as jade. Just wash your face.”

“Don’t comment on my body—it’s gross!”

Phew. Escaping discovery felt like the luckiest moment of his life.

By the time everyone sat at the breakfast table, the storm had passed. A narrow escape, indeed.

“You have work today. How’ll you get there without a car?”

“Aren’t you heading out too? We can split up. I’ve got my bike.”

“Biking that far? It’s a long ride.”

“No problem. Just drive Vivian to school. I’ll manage fine alone.”

Oh right—today was the joint class session. His and Vivian’s class would merge with another.

That thought alone felt ominous.

“Be careful on the road.”

“Mm... you too.”